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Jackson dominates as Rays roll

Jackson dominates as Rays roll

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By Brittany Ghiroli
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MLB.com |

RAYS 3, PHILLIES 1at St. Petersburg, Fla.Wednesday, March 19

Phillies at the plate: After four hitless innings, Geoff Jenkins finally broke through with a double down the left-field line. Carlos Ruiz had a two-out double to score Jenkins and put the Phillies up 1-0. Jenkins and Chris Snelling were both 1-for-2 with a hit-by-pitch.

Rays at the plate: The Rays loaded the bases in the third with no outs, but were unable to muster any runs. Tampa Bay finally broke the shutout in the sixth when Cliff Floyd singled to right field, scoring B.J. Upton, who had previously doubled down the left-field line. Mike DiFelice drove in Floyd for the go-ahead run, and Jason Bartlett doubled to put the Rays up 3-1. Bartlett was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Carl Crawford was 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.

Phillies on the mound: Veteran Jamie Moyer, the Phillies' No. 3 pitcher, got the start for the club's second straight game against the Rays. Moyer got out of a bases-loaded third-inning jam unscathed, and pitched five scoreless innings before being rattled in the sixth. Moyer was charged with six hits and three runs -- one earned -- in 5 2/3 innings, fanning four. J.C. Romero pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and two walks with a strikeout.

Rays on the mound: Jackson got his fourth official start of the spring and is still considered a top candidate for a rotation spot. The righty, who struggled with four walks over five innings on Friday, was impressive early. He retired the first 11 batters he faced. Jackson allowed three hits and one run, striking out seven and walking one in 5 2/3 innings of work. Al Reyes came in to get the final out with the bases loaded in the sixth. Troy Percival pitched one inning, retiring all three batters he faced.

Grapefruit League records: Phillies 8-13-1, Rays 14-4-1

Up next for the Phillies: Philadelphia returns to Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., as Adam Eaton is scheduled to face the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. ET on Thursday. Eaton recovered from two bad outings to log three scoreless innings on Friday vs. the Twins. Also scheduled to pitch are Tom Gordon and J.D. Durbin, whose struggles this spring may have pushed him out of contention for one of two open bullpen jobs.

Up next for the Rays: Right-hander Jason Hammel gets the start as the Rays travel to Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Fla., to face the Indians at 1:05 p.m. ET on Thursday. Hammel, who is still in the running for one of two final rotation spots, will face off with Cleveland righty Paul Byrd. Masa Kobayashi, Tom Mastny, Rafael Perez and Jorge Julio are also expected to throw for the Indians.

Brittany Ghiroli is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.